How to Beat Vitamin D Deficiency
By Sara Butler
Part of the reason you strive to eat a healthy diet is to supply your body with all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to function well. The issue is how on earth you know if you're getting enough of what you need and not becoming deficient in crucial vitamins -- vitamins such as Vitamin D. Here's what you need to know about Vitamin D deficiency to help you avoid it this winter.
How You Get Vitamin D
You can find Vitamin D in many different forms -- and most of those forms tend to become more scarce once winter rolls around. Normally, you get a regular dose of Vitamin D from:
- Sunlight
- Mushrooms
- Fortified milk
- Eggs
- Fatty fish such as tuna, trout, and salmon
It's not uncommon to have a Vitamin D deficiency, which is why it's important to understand what to look for to indicate you're suffering from one.
The Signs and Symptoms of a Deficiency
There are several signs to look for that indicate you may have a Vitamin D deficiency such as:
- Excessive sweating - An early symptom of a deficiency is excessive sweating. This is especially prevalent in newborn babies.
- You're achy - Fatigue is a common symptom of Vitamin D deficiency as well as achiness in the joints and limbs.
- You're moody - The hormone in your brain that helps make you happy, serotonin, is associated with Vitamin D production in your skin from sunlight. If you don't make enough Vitamin D, you may feel moody and a little down in the dumps.
- You have stomachaches - Some people with low Vitamin D levels may develop issues with their digestive systems. If you have stomachaches or develop food sensitivities, then not getting enough Vitamin D may be the problem.
How to Get Enough Vitamin D
You can ensure you get enough Vitamin D by:
- Getting more sun - Just 10 minutes in the sun can help your body produce the Vitamin D you need to stay healthy
- Eat Vitamin D-rich foods - Chicken, fatty fish, and beef are all rich in Vitamin D. Try eating more shrimp, salmon, and mackerel in your diet as well, along with a helping of kale, okra, and spinach, all of which contain a good amount of this vitamin.
- Have breakfast - Eggs are a great source of Vitamin D, so have a couple of eggs for breakfast each day
Vitamin D is essential to your good health. If you're concerned you may have a deficiency, talk to a healthcare professional today.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sterling, Va.
